The mayor of Tony Blair's County Durham constituency has sparked a political row after branding the prime minister out of touch with local problems.

Jim Wayman, the independent mayor of Sedgefield Town Council, accused Mr Blair of ignoring the issues which affect those he represents. Mr Wayman, who is also a borough councillor and former magistrate, launched his outspoken attack in the week that Mr Blair celebrated his 10th anniversary as Labour leader.

He told The Northern Echo: "He has been pre-occupied so much in the recent past by Europe and America that he has neglected local problems."

Mr Blair's agent John Burton hit back at Mr Wayman's claims and insisted it was the councillor who was out of touch - not the prime minister. Mr Wayman said that for the first 10 years as an MP, Mr Blair was a "very approachable man" but described him now as "divorced" from local people and too keen to style himself on American methods.

He called on Mr Blair to focus more on the elderly, transport, crime, education and health, as well as the constituency problems of a travellers' site, a dangerous road junction and an illuminated tower.

The 60ft steel and glass waymaker, designed as a landmark gateway to County Durham on the A689 between Sedgefield and Wynyard, was described as an "eyesore" by Mr Wayman.

"It is stupid," he said. "It should either be outside Ikea or on the north pier at Blackpool but not at the side of that dual carriageway."

Mr Wayman also suggested the prime minister should step into the row over the gypsie site at Old Beacon Lane and do something to solve the accident record of a new intersection of the A689 where two people have been killed recently.

But Mr Burton said: "We have never had one complaint about it but if there is an issue we will sort it out.

"The tower isn't exactly the Angel of the North but it's okay, and Tony's office chaired a meeting recently on the Old Beacon Lane issue.

"Obviously, it is Jim who is completely out of touch with what is really happening because the schools have improved under Tony, hospital waiting lists are down and the OAPs are saying they have never been better off."